preread

Preread is a term that denotes reading something before a main event or task. It can function as a noun ("a preread") or a verb ("to preread"). The term is not standardized across fields, and its meaning depends on context.

In education, prereading refers to activities that occur before a lesson or reading assignment, such as skimming headings, glossaries, or introductory materials, with the aim of activating prior knowledge and establishing purpose.

In publishing, preread may describe an initial skim of a manuscript by editors or reviewers to identify structure, major arguments, or potential issues before a formal review.

In documentation and technical writing, prereading can refer to an initial pass that scans for key topics, requirements, or dependencies to guide subsequent work.

In computing and data processing, prereading can describe a lightweight pre-processing step that reads metadata or a sample of content to inform indexing, caching, or routing decisions.

Usage and cautions: Because preread is informal, clearer terms like pre-reading, skim, preview, or pre-processing may be preferred in formal writing. When using preread, specify scope, purpose, and audience to avoid ambiguity.

Related terms include pre-reading, preview, skim, and pre-processing.